“To ask where you were,” Mrs. Dodge said, explosively. “Each of ’em kept me about fifteen minutes.”
“That was very inconsiderate,” Lily observed. “Especially as I hadn’t absolutely promised either of ’em I’d go. I only said to call up about three and probably I would. I don’t think they ought to have kept you so——”
“That isn’t what I’m complaining of,” her mother interrupted, grimly. “It was disagreeable, especially as I was unable to give either of them any information and they both seemed to think I could if they kept at me long enough! It was trying, but it was bearable. What I refuse to have happen again, though, is what has been happening all the rest of the afternoon.”
Lily proved herself strangely able to divine her mother’s meaning without further explanation. Pink at once became noticeable upon her cheeks. “Oh, goodness!” she said. “Price didn’t come in, did he?”
“For two and one-half hours,” Mrs. Dodge replied, slowly and harshly. “For that length of time this afternoon I have been favoured with the society and conversation—the continuous conversation, I may say—of Mr. Price Gleason. I am strong enough to bear certain things, but not strong enough to bear certain other things, and I want to tell you that this is something you must never do to me again.”
Lily sank into a chair, staring widely. “Oh, goodness!” she said. “When did he go?”
“Not until about five minutes before you came in.”
“What did he say?”
“What didn’t he?” Mrs. Dodge returned. “He had time enough!”
Upon this Lily’s expression, grown grave, became tenderly compassionate. “Was he—was he terribly hurt with me, Mamma?”